Kerbside Queries and FAQs

Do you have a question about your bins and what should go in them? Has your bin been missed or gone missing? Have you moved into a new property and need a bin? Check this page and The Kerbside Bin System for the answers you need. If you can’t find the answers to your questions here, go to Contact Us to find out who to call.

You will need to buy your bins (unless you live on Kangaroo Island, in which case they are provided by the Council when a new dwelling is established). Contact your nearest Waste and Recycling Depot to arrange purchase. It is a good idea to paint your address on your new bin to minimise the risk of theft (use oil based house paint).

My bin has gone missing! What should I do?

You will need to purchase a replacement bin. Contact your nearest Waste and Recycling Depot to arrange purchase. It is a good idea to paint your address on your new bin to minimise the risk of theft (use oil based house paint). Bringing your bin in as soon as possible after collection also reduces the risk of theft and vandalism.

My bin has been damaged. What should I do?

It is your responsibility to care for your bins. If your bin has been damaged by you or vandalised, it is your responsibility to replace it. Contact your nearest Waste and Recycling Depot to arrange purchase. Bringing your bin in as soon as possible after collection also reduces the risk of theft and vandalism. If you think your bin has been damaged by the collection truck call the FRWA Phone 8555 7405.

The collection truck missed my bin?

First, check that it is the correct collection day for you. If you are not sure, check the Kerbside Waste Collection Calendar or the Online Search. Next, make sure your bin has not been stickered by our driver for non-compliance (eg. wrong bin type, overfull or contaminated). Also, make sure you have not put out more bins than you are entitled to (additional wast collection services/bins require payment – see Additional Bins and that your bin was out before 5:30 am. If all is correct and your bin has actually been missed, please phone Phone 8555 7405.

Glossy paper and tissues: can any type of paper go in the recycling bin?

There is some confusion about this. Basically, glossy paper is fine to go in the recycling bin if it rips. Glossy paper that won’t rip is usually coated in plastic and therefore not recyclable. Tissues, paper towels and paper napkins are NOT suitable for recycling, but they can go in your green organic waste bin (where available) in small quantities to be composted. If you don’t have a green waste bin or compost bin, tissues, paper towels and paper napkins need to go in the general waste bin.

How clean do items need to be to go in the yellow recycling bin?

Items need to be reasonably free from food – so rinse before recycling. Using the water at the end of washing up to give them a rinse is enough.

I have heard that strawberry and cherry tomato containers are ok to put in the yellow recycling bin. Is this right?

Yes. If you can scrunch the plastic container in your hand and it bounces back to its own shape, then it is recyclable in the recycling bin. If not, then it is too soft and needs to be placed in the general waste bin with other soft plastics.

Packing foam or polystyrene foam needs to go in the general waste bin at the moment. This includes foam cups and foam meat trays. Don’t be fooled by the triangle with the number in it – this is just a plastics identification code, not a recycling symbol.

Pizza boxes – can we really put them in the yellow recycling bin?

Yes, pizza boxes with no food scraps can go in the recycling bin. If they are badly soiled and have food in them, pizza boxes can be placed in the green waste bin or compost (in domestic quantities). Failing any of these options, the last choice is the general waste bin.

Put them in your general waste bin – soft plastic is not recyclable in the kerbside system. Some major supermarkets have collection bags/bins for soft plastics – check your local supermarket.

The triangle on plastics is confusing. What does it actually mean?

The triangle with the number inside is a plastic identification code not a recycling symbol. It only lets you know what kind of plastic the item is made from, but not whether it is recyclable via the recycling bin.

What should I do with my old computer and other e-waste?

E-waste includes anything that has a cord, including computers, printers, TVs, toasters, microwaves and hairdryers. All e-waste is now banned from landfill. You cannot put e-waste into any kerbside bin.

E-waste items covered under the National TechCollect scheme (the scheme), including computer screens, systems units, printers and other peripherals, can be taken to all waste and recycle depots, charges may apply.

Whitegoods (including fridges, dishwashers and microwaves) are also accepted free at our Waste & Recycling Depots. Other types of e-waste are also accepted at our Waste & Recycling Depots, although they may incur a charge.

Can I recycle old video (VCR) tapes? What about CDs and DVDs?

Video tapes can’t be recycled and need to go in your general waste bin. However, video tape covers are suitable for recycling – first remove the paper label, then put the cover and the paper loose in your recycling bin.

CDs and DVDs can be taken to our Waste & Recycling Depots for recycling. CDs and DVDs are not suitable for the kerbside recycling bin, so if you are not able to bring them to the depot, dispose of them in your general waste bin.

What can I do with paint tins that still have some paint in?

Empty, dry paint tins can be recycled in your recycling bin. Either pour the excess paint out over newspaper or kitty litter and let it dry out, or use a paint hardener available from hardware stores. Never pour paint down the drain. Put the dried out paint in your general waste bin and the empty, dry paint tin in your recycling bin.

Liquid paint is not accepted at our Waste and Recycling Depots.

Can I recycle those big spring water bottles?

Most large spring water bottles can be returned to the shop for reuse. It is also fine to put large plastic bottles in the recycling bin as long as they are a rigid plastic that holds their own shape.

44% of landfill waste in the southern Fleurieu comes from food/garden organics.

It is important to keep food waste out of landfill because it generates harmful greenhouse gases and leachate, as well as wasting a valuable resource. You can recycle your food waste at home by using a compost bin or worm farm or feeding your scraps to chickens. Another option is to put food scraps, including meat and seafood, in your green waste bin. FRWA runs workshops on composting and worm farming – contact our Project and Education Officer (Contact Us) to find out about upcoming workshops.

What can I do with shredded paper?

Shredded paper may go in your general waste bin or into your home compost or worm farm.

Where do I put batteries? I’ve heard some can go in the general waste bin but some can’t?

Take all your domestic batteries to one of our Waste and Recycling Depots, or Battery World for free recycling. Most local Councils will have battery recycling boxes available at Customer Service or in library areas.

Which wrappers can and can’t be recycled?

Wrappers come in all shapes, sizes and types. Here are a few and what to do with them:

Foil type bags – general waste bin.

Cereal waxy plastic wrapper – general waste bin.

Yoghurt tub – recycling bin (rinse first).

Plastic lids from milk containers – after rinsing the container, squash it and put the lid back on for recycling.

Large plastic pots – recycling bin.

Metal lids – Put in a metal can, squash to retain, then put in the recycling bin.

Why can’t I put mobile phones in the yellow bin if they are recyclable?

Mobile phones contain a variety of valuable components. However, they are made of composite materials (glass, plastic, metal) and require specialised recycling to break these down into their separate components. Mobile muster is a free service for recycling phones with many locations, including our Waste & Recycling Depots.

Where can I take asbestos and how much will it cost?

Kangaroo Island Resource Recovery Centre (KIRRC)is licensed to take in asbestos. It must be dampened, covered and sealed in 220micron builders plastic and placed on a pallet or bearers.

Goolwa Waste and Recycling Depot – 1226 Port Elliot Road, Goolwa is also able to take asbestos.

The Fleurieu Regional Waste Authority (FRWA) was established in 2010 by the constituent councils of the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia in order to manage their waste and recycling operations. The constituent councils are Alexandrina Council, City of Victor Harbor, Kangaroo Island Council and the District Council of Yankalilla.